ram, and held it up before Pilar's eyes.

"Eleven heads after that of Madame la Comtesse."

"All for the embassy ball?"

"No, madame; I have another dance to-night in the Faubourg, and a
betrothal party in the American colony."

While speaking he had not remained idle. The coiffure was being built
up on a different plan, and this time Monsieur Martin appeared to be
satisfied with his creation. He walked all round the smiling countess,
begged her to walk slowly up and down the room once or twice, touched
up the front locks a little, and then the back, and finally ejaculated:

"Charming! Ravishing! Our head will have a great success!"

He departed, after a ceremonious leave-taking. At the door of the
boudoir his servant again relieved him of his box, and carried it after
him downstairs, and a few minutes later they heard his carriage drive
away.

"You have not anything like that in Berlin yet," said Pilar, laughing,
when the solemn and important artist had left.

"I think not," Wilhelm replied; "at least, not in the circles with
which I am acquainted. But I do not laugh at him--on the contrary, I
envy him. He takes himself so seriously, and combs with his whole soul.
Happy man!"

It was about half-past ten when Pilar entered the red salon, in full
ball dress. Wilhelm was sitting by the fire reading. She came up to him:

"How do you like me?" she asked.

She had on a salmon-colored broche velvet dress, with ostrich feather
trimmings, and a long train. Shoulders and bust rose as out of pink
foam from the scarf-like folds of some very airy material; brilliants
flashed at her breast and on her arms, the diadem was in her hair, two
solitaires in the delicate little ears, a double row of pearls round
her neck, and an ostrich feather fan, with enameled gold mounts, in her
hand. A superb figure!

"How beautiful!" he said, and stroked her chin fondly. He dared not
touch her cheeks, for fear of disturbing the pearl powder. "But you
look just as regal without the brilliants."

"Flatterer! Would you not like to come, after all? Make haste and
dress."

He only shook his head, smiling.

"But are you not a little bit jealous, when you see me go off by myself
to a ball? I shall talk to the men, and take their arm and dance with
them; the people will look at me and pay me attention--does it not make
any difference to you?"

"No, dear heart, for I hope it will make none to you either."

"Ah, yes--you need have no fear